Gilad Shalit (Archive photo)
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Hamas: Sign of life from Shalit in exchange for hundreds of prisoners
Islamist group leaders deny reports of progress on possible prisoner swap deal that will include kidnapped soldier, but say meeting between Shalit and neutral party may be allowed if 'Israel pays accordingly'
Hamas leaders denied Tuesday reports saying there was progress concerning a possible prisoner swap deal that would include Gilad Shalit, adding that it also did not agree to relay messages between the kidnapped soldier and his family in Israel.
Red Cross representatives in Gaza said the Islamist group agreed to pass on a letter from Shalit, but a senior member of the organization told Ynet, "There is no concrete discussion on anything, but if a fair and worthy exchange is put on the table, we will be willing to consider any offer."
According to him, Hamas would agree to show signs of life from Shalit or discuss the possibility of a meeting between the kidnapped soldier and neutral party in return for the release of "hundreds of prisoners – not just one or two.
"If we receive offers to ease the pressure on the citizens of Gaza, we will not reject them; on the contrary, if the crossings are reopened and the transfer of goods is permitted, and if the threats regarding the cutting of gas and electricity supplies to the Strip are removed, some sort of gesture on our part will be made possible.
Another Hamas member said messages from Shalit were being "officially and unofficially" relayed to his father, Noam. According to him, the messages proved that the kidnapped soldier was in good condition and was being treated well by his captors.
"Therefore, any gesture on our part would be a step up – and Israel would have to pay accordingly," the Hamas member said.
